Shavegrass 1 oz

Botanical Name: Equisetum arvense

Common Names: Shavegrass, Horsetail, Common Horsetail, Bottle Brush

Description: Shavegrass, widely known as Horsetail, is one of the most ancient living plant lineages on Earth, tracing its ancestry back to the towering prehistoric forests of the Carboniferous period. Prized for its exceptionally high concentration of bioavailable silica, Shavegrass acts as a premier structural tonic. It works quietly and deeply to nourish and strengthen connective tissues, bones, hair, nails, and skin. With its cooling and mildly astringent energetics, it also serves as a gentle, supportive diuretic for the urinary tract.

Energetics: Cool, Dry, Astringent, Tonifying

Key Constituents: The defining therapeutic constituent of Shavegrass is silica and silicic acids (making up roughly 5 to 8% of the dry weight), which provide essential building blocks for collagen and connective tissue. It also contains valuable flavonoids, saponins (including equiseterin), and plant sterols that contribute to its tissue-toning and diuretic actions.

Traditional Uses: Shavegrass is a classic structural and eliminative tonic. It is traditionally used to:

• Strengthen brittle nails, fine hair, and support healthy, resilient skin

• Support bone density, joint integrity, and the healing of connective tissue

• Tone and soothe the urinary tract, acting as a gentle diuretic to encourage fluid elimination

• Provide mild astringent support to tighten relaxed tissues

Preparation: Because the silica in Shavegrass is bound within hard, cell walls reinforced by minerals, standard light steeping is insufficient to extract its full medicine.

• Long Decoction: Simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried shavegrass in a covered pot of water on low heat for 20 to 30 minutes to properly break down the cellular walls and release the silica.

• Tincture: Alcohol extracts are useful for its diuretic and urinary-toning constituents, though a decoction is preferred for mineral structural support.

Disclaimer: This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Warning: Because of its strong diuretic action, Shavegrass should not be used continuously for extended periods without breaks, and should be avoided by individuals with severe kidney disease, acute heart conditions, or low blood pressure.